New Books in Psychology Shifting Blame: What Should You "Own" and What Shouldn't You?
14 snips
Jan 18, 2023 AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
The Len Bias Tragedy
- Len Bias, a promising basketball player, died of a cocaine overdose after being drafted by the Boston Celtics.
- This led to the "Len Bias laws," which punish drug suppliers for overdose deaths, raising questions about responsibility for accidents.
Evolution of Criminal Responsibility
- Historically, criminal responsibility shifted from focusing on consequences to intent (mens rea).
- However, the 20th century saw a shift towards considering social factors in crime.
The Rise of "Tough on Crime"
- Rising crime rates in the mid-60s led to a "tough on crime" approach, emphasizing individual responsibility and punishment over rehabilitation.
- The "war on drugs" further intensified this, leading to harsher penalties and mass incarceration, disproportionately affecting Black communities.